Quality aspects of the development of a rule-based architecture

Abstract

This paper provides an insight into how the various quality requirements defined for a specific tool are met in its development cycle. Focus is on a specific subset of the rule-based architecture project, which covers the Rubico Rules Engine and inter-application communications. The rule-based architecture is discussed briefly. The focus is on the Rubico Open Interface (ROI), a technology designed specifically for the purpose of inter-technology communications on various levels. Various Application Programming Interface (API) levels have been defined for ROI and will be elucidated during the paper. An overview of the need for system migration and evolution, with specific regard to technology independence will be presented. Specific examples are discussed later in the paper. Distributed computing will be considered, including traditional client-server views, Object Request Broker (ORB) architectures and web architectures. A discussion of current global developments in this arena, such as CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) and COM (Common/Component Object Model) will also be presented. Terminology and acronyms specific to the project will be discussed. The quality objectives to be discussed are : interoperability, compliance, fault tolerance, availability, changeability, stability, testability, adaptability, co-existence, replaceability. These will be described in more detail in relation to the rule-based architecture project development and requirements. These objectives will be reviewed with regard to the steps taken for development, and how the tool itself complies with each requirement at this phase in its life-cycle. Future developments and enhancements will also be reviewed with regard to the quality objectives. Problems encountered while developing the product will be presented, as well as the need for continued education in the field of development with regard to current development in the field and principles in general.